MARQUETTE, MI – (Great Lakes Radio News)– A nationwide test of the Emergency Alert System, commonly known as EAS, is scheduled for tomorrow, November 9th, 2011, at 2-pm eastern time. This is the first time that this system will be tested on a cross-country level.

The EAS is used by local authorities in times of emergency to warn citizens about an impending situation. Most of the time that you would hear an EAS announcement in our area it has to do with severe weather.

On that note, Matt Zika, from the National Weather Service Office in Negaunee Township, joined Mark and Walt in the Morning today to discuss this test and how EAS works both nationally and on a local level. He explained how the EAS is a key tool in disseminating severe weather information across our area.

He also explained how the system is a separate part of weather-related communications in the country.

To listen to the interview with Matt about the EAS and NOAA weather radio, please click the link below: